'friends, the tall and the small' installation view in the former synagogue, 2012Kunstverein Oerlinghausen, Germanyphoto: Maren Radke

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy. In collaboration with the Belgian photographer, Bart Michielsen, enlarged portraits expand the impact of these works.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy. In collaboration with the Belgian photographer, Bart Michielsen, enlarged portraits expand the impact of these works.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

The needle-sculpted textile objects made between 2004 and 2011, range from 5 inches to 10 feet tall. The strange presence yet familiarity of these ‘beings’, regardless of size, age or beauty, allow viewers to explore their individual capacity for empathy.

'Universal Mother: Made for Arolsen', Museum Bad Arolsen, in Bad Arolsen, Germany, in 1997 was Sheehan's first solo museum exhibition marked by the a catalogue documentation of the series. Set in a former prince’s bedroom in this baroque style residential castle, Heather Sheehan created an experiential environment from a sculptural trio which calls into question the power roles within the concept of a universal family.

'Universal Mother: Made for Arolsen', Museum Bad Arolsen, in Bad Arolsen, Germany, in 1997 was Sheehan's first solo museum exhibition marked by the a catalogue documentation of the series. Set in a former prince’s bedroom in this baroque style residential castle, Heather Sheehan created an experiential environment from a sculptural trio which calls into question the power roles within the concept of a universal family.

'Universal Mother: Made for Arolsen', Museum Bad Arolsen, in Bad Arolsen, Germany, in 1997 was Sheehan's first solo museum exhibition marked by the a catalogue documentation of the series. Set in a former prince’s bedroom in this baroque style residential castle, Heather Sheehan created an experiential environment from a sculptural trio which calls into question the power roles within the concept of a universal family.